Glad to see local folks setting up shop. Wish a local spot would have jumped on the Alamo Methodist spot instead of an Austin one-off, but I guess beggars can't be choosers. I just hope Frank includes local or neutral decor instead of decorating with "Austin" decor....that always drives me nuts.

Ruth's Chris Steak House leased 7,820 square feet at Eilan at 17101 La Cantera Parkway. Angela Rinehart of CGC Texas represented the tenant. Price Onken with Reata Real Estate represented the landlord. The restaurant has two other locations in San Antonio, one at the River Walk and another near the airport.

I know awhile back there was talk about the Austin hot dog restaurant Frank moving into that old church on South Alamo. Has there been any updates on that? That would be a really awesome addition, making the food scene in south town even more diverse and attractive then it already is and bring more to the already booming area.

With one spot already open in San Antonio and a second on the way in Windcrest, In-N-Out Burger has plans for another burger joint in New Braunfels.

The restaurant will be located at 106 FM 306, which is right off Interstate 35 in New Braunfels, according to a project filing with the state. Construction is estimated to start in February with completion as early as August, the filing states.

In the San Antonio area, In-N-Out Burger has a restaurant at 10918 Culebra Rd. Another restaurant is expected to open soon at 8202 North Interstate 35, records show.

The delicate transformation of the original Pearl Brewery building into Southerleigh Fine Food & Brewery is nearly complete. The new restaurant and brewpub is now slated to open in late March.

Southerleigh will be one of the largest brewpubs in the nation, and it will feature a modern twist on what owner and executive chef Jeff Balfour refers to as Texas' "cross-cultural cuisine."

The newest player in San Antonio's emerging craft beer industry has big plans for an historic site.

"We could not be in a better space to brew beer," Balfour said about the Pearl building, which has not housed brewing operations since 2002.

That long hiatus is about to end. Southerleigh will have a 15-barrel brew house, six serving tanks and an extensive firkin/wood barrel-aging program. Southerleigh brewmaster Les Locke plans to plans to develop nearly two dozen craft beers that will be available on tap — by the glass or in a growler. Southerleigh will offer several dining areas, including a private room housed in one of Pearl Brewery's original grain silos.

In October, I asked Balfour, who left a chef position at Hotel Valencia to take on the Southerleigh project, about the process of developing a new restaurant and brewpub in the original Pearl brewhouse.

"I'm still amazed by the history that you see in the building," he said. "My understanding was, when it closed, it closed. There was a lot of stuff that looked like it probably did when (Pearl) stopped using it."

It's taken Eugene Simor several years to move his new Alamo Beer Co. brewery from conception to completion. But on Friday, in the spirit of Texas independence, Simor will mark the opening of the East Side brewery, beer garden and beer hall with a ceremonial keg tapping and cannon fire.

As part of the landmark event, Alamo Beer is expanding its product line and will introduce three new craft beers to the public to complement the company's signature Golden Ale. The company will debut the Alamo Pilsner, Alamo German Pale Ale and Alamo Amber Lager. The latter beer was created as an homage to the original Alamo Beer produced by a different company in San Antonio at the turn of the 20th Century. The beer disappeared at the beginning of Prohibition in 1919.

"It's been a long time in the making," Simor told me about his multi-year mission to bring the project to fruition — only hours before opening the doors to the new complex.

He was inspired in part through the journey by some of the words Alamo defender William Barret Travis penned as the historic mission was under siege: "... I shall never surrender or retreat."

The roughly $8 million brewery complex at 202 Lamar Street is situated near the historic Hays Street bridge, immediately east of Interstate 37. Simor said he expects to produce between 6,000 and 10,000 barrels of beer annually at the new brewery — more than twice its previous volume.

The project has helped stimulate other development in the long-underserved neighborhood.

"There are many things happening in the area as a result of this brewery," Simor said. "We are seeing an absolute resurgence in the Dignowity Hill area."

Simor said he could have developed the brewery anywhere. But he wanted to be near the famous Texas shrine for which is company is named.

The House, an ice cream shop that will sell alcoholic ice cream flavors, plans to open in Southtown later this month.

In all, The House will have a rotating selection of about 10 ice cream flavors, both alcoholic and non-alcoholic, made in-house. Ice cream flavors include the Aztec (chocolate with amaretto) and the Blue Hawaiian (coconut cream, pineapple, rum and blue curacao).

There also are plans for a small drink lineup that includes local beer and wine as well as frozen daiquiris and margaritas, said co-owner Robert Nickle.

The House will be located at 732 S. Alamo St., next door to La Frite Belgian Bistro.